The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday to approve President Donald Trump’s massive — and controversial — “Triumphal Arch” for Washington, with construction scheduled to begin almost immediately.
\n\nThe commission, led by Trump appointees, gave the project a green light after a hearing at which scores of area residents lined up to voice their opposition to the project, which would sit in Memorial Circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
\n\nThe motion to approve final site building plans passed 8-4, with the four votes in opposition coming from commissioners who were not appointed by Trump.
\n\nPublic comment at the hearing lasted more than nine hours, which commission Chair Mark Paoletta said was “more than ever.” The comments mostly related to the impact on Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the project’s height, scale and safety.
\n\nPaoletta, who is general counsel at the Office of Management and Budget and was appointed chairman of the commission in August, said at the meeting that it was a “national disgrace” that such a memorial had not already been built. He also praised Trump’s “monumental vision,” saying it would be “the grandest arch ever built by mankind.”
\n\nThe virtual meeting was interrupted for…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports